Ready Report December 16: Ready OpEd on CCPS, Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Carroll, and More!

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Ready Report- December 16th

Good Afternoon, I hope everyone is in the Christmas spirit as 2017 winds to a close.

Senator Ready Discussing Maryland's Gerrymandered Congressional Districts during Session. These Districts are now being reviewed in an upcoming SC Decision

Ready OpEd CCPS of Field Trips

Recently Carroll County Public Schools has been in the news for the decision to temporarily suspend field trips to Baltimore City. Now that suspension has been reversed thanks to additional planning and investigation done by Sheriff Jim DeWees working with Baltimore City officials and our local school system. The original announcement prompted some breathless reporting — most of it designed to be critical of the county and place the decision in a political light. However, the decision was not a final pronouncement, obviously — it was really more of an extended evaluation of student visits which will be ongoing even as trips resume now.

Last week the Board of Public Works approved a request from DNR to commit resources to fund development in Carroll County. The projects are the Green Tot Lot in Westminster, which will upgrade the playground and safety fencing, and the skate park at Memorial Park in Hampstead. These are great projects that will go to great use in Carroll County.

ICYMI: Hogan Announces Baltimore City Violence Plan

On Tuesday, Governor Hogan joined with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to announce a series of initiatives to combat criminal gang enterprises and repeat violent offenders responsible for terrorizing Baltimore City.

The focus of these initiatives is to give law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges the tools they need to get repeat violent criminals off the streets and into prison.

Maryland State police will increase their presence in Baltimore City and will be partnering with the U.S. Marshall service to aggressively sweep the city and serve high priority warrants to violent offenders. The Governor also established the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network whose main priority will be to identify, disrupt, and dismantle gangs and criminal networks in communities around the state.

As we approach the start of Session 2018, the Governor has a comprehensive legislative package to address the spiraling violence in Baltimore City. This includes harsher sentences for violent and repeat offenders and strengthening Maryland’s defense against gang violence.

I applaud the Governor’s plan to help stop the violence in Baltimore City. With over 320 homicides in the City this year, law enforcement shortages, and the recent homicide of Detective Suter, it is time for action.

Connecting With Us:

To stay up to date with the latest goings on in Annapolis and our area, I hope you’ll like my Facebook page –www.Facebook.com/SenatorReady - and follow me on Twitter http://Twitter.com/JustinReady - and Instagram -http://Instagram.com/JustinReady. It’s a great way to stay informed and also to get in touch with me when you have concerns.

I consider it a great honor and responsibility to serve you in Annapolis and welcome your thoughts and opinions. Please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions, or concerns that you have.